Primarily typescripts, recordings, and other material documenting outdoor dramas relating to Mecklenburg County history. Also contains interviews between Blythe and subjects of several of his non-fiction books, including Mabel Wolfe Wheaton, sister of Thomas Wolfe. Contains no material about his novels.

Preferred Citation note

LeGette Blythe Papers. J. Murrey Atkins Library Special Collections, University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Biographical/Historical note

William LeGette Blythe was a journalist and writer of novels, biographies, and outdoor dramas based on the history of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. He was born in Huntersville, N.C. He graduated in 1921 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was a member of the original Carolina Playmakers and a classmate of Thomas Wolfe, Paul Green, and Jonathan Daniels. Blythe began his career in journalism, first with the Charlotte News and then, in 1927, with the Charlotte Observer. In 1950 he left the newspaper to write books full time. Blythe twice won the Mayflower Cup for nonfiction, first in 1953 for Miracle in the Hills, the story of Dr. Mary Martin Sloop's crusade to improve the lives of mountain people, and again in 1961 for Thomas Wolfe and His Family.

Scope and Contents note

Primarily typescripts, recordings, and other material documenting outdoor dramas relating to Mecklenburg County history. Also contains interviews between Blythe and subjects of several of his non-fiction books, including Mabel Wolfe Wheaton, sister of Thomas Wolfe. Contains no material about his novels.

Conditions Governing Access note

Conditions Governing Use note

Copyright retained by author (except for song, "Shout Freedom!," which has been retained by composer Lamar Stringfield).

Conditions Governing Use note

Some material may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the patron's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections.

Controlled Access Headings

Personal Name(s)

Subject(s)

Collection Inventory

Box

Folder

INTERVIEWS

Scope and Contents note

includes WBT Radio "Project 60" interview with Mabel Wolfe Wheaton, "Thomas Wolfe and His Family" [narrated by Clyde McLean and written by James Davis]; and 16 tapes of interviews of the following individuals: E. Gaine Cannon; William Currie; James W. Davis; Harley Gaston; Christine South Gee; Hunter Jones; William Reid Pitts; Mary Martin Sloop; and Robert Stowe. [Located in the Digital Sound Archive.]

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OUTDOOR DRAMAS--FIRST IN FREEDOM 1975

Scope and Contents note

transcript for bicentennial of the legendary Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence.

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1

OUTDOOR DRAMAS--THE HORNETS' NEST 1968

Scope and Contents note

transcript for bicentennial of the chartering of the city of Charlotte. Includes program, bookjacket, and score by Loonis McGlohon. [For further information on development and performance, see the following files from the UNC Charlotte University Archives: 1) Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Subject Files, 1965 1970, folders: a) Amphitheatre and b) Blythe, LeGette; and 2) Chancellor, Subject Files, 1965 1969, folders: a) Amphitheatre and b) Hornets' Nest Outdoor Musical Drama.]

1

2

OUTDOOR DRAMAS--SHOUT FREEDOM 1948

Scope and Contents note

transcript, program, and sheet music for song "Shout Freedom!" [autographed by composer Lamar Stringfield, North Carolina governor R. Gregg Cherry, and others].

1

3

OUTDOOR DRAMAS--THUNDER IN CAROLINA 1976

Scope and Contents note

transcript for U.S. bicentennial. Includes 2 cassette recordings [unboxed].

1

4

OUTDOOR DRAMAS--VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS C

Scope and Contents note

transcript for bicentennial of the Presbyterian Church in Mecklenburg County. Includes programs, rehearsal schedule, costume instructions, and partial reel to reel recording [unboxed].